Anthony, Knicks give N.Y. a show

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He went to center court before the game to thank fans for coming to Madison Square Garden, when even the Knicks themselves didn't know if people were ready for sports yet in the storm-ravaged city.

Then he and his teammates provided a victory for their city they know has lost so much.

Anthony had 30 points and 10 rebounds, and the Knicks gave New Yorkers something to cheer with a 104-84 victory over the Miami Heat in their storm-delayed season opener Friday night.

“Over the last couple of days, we didn't even know if this game was going to be played. Then before the game we look up and they say they canceled the Marathon, so it was like, we have to go out there and play,” Anthony said. “So today was something to give New York a couple hours of some peace. Come to the game, support us. We gave them a good show out there tonight, that's the least that we can do.”

In the first sporting event in New York since superstorm Sandy, the Knicks dominated a game the Heat players weren't sure should even be played with the region still so devastated. But the Knicks hoped they could provide a distraction for a few hours, and fans who were able to watch surely loved what they saw from a team that could barely compete with Miami last season.

Anthony noticed plenty of empty seats when he first came out to warm up, then saw they had almost all been taken by the time players returned for the opening tip.

“I think this win meant a lot for us, for the city, fans, you know, just everybody in New York,” guard Raymond Felton said. “This was a big win, so I'm happy we got it.”

Steve Novak added 17 points off the bench and Felton had 14 points and nine assists for the Knicks.

LeBron James scored 23 points for the Heat, so impressive in a season-opening victory over Boston on Tuesday but never really in this one. Dwyane Wade, who thought the game should be postponed, finished with 15 points and Chris Bosh had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Heat beat the Knicks in five games in last season's first round, and at least for one night New York appears to have closed the gap on the champs.

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